I had a 101 proof MM in the 70s - at the time, I think is was a green wax bottle. The Red was 80, the Gold was 86 with a custom label, but neither was as smooth as the 101 proof that I recall. Does anyone else remember the 70s?

This is very reminiscent of how I recall the regular brand (red wax) from the 1980's and earlier. The current MM is certainly worthy (improved I find over the last few years) but not as rich as, and without the wine-like note noted by Emerald in, its ancestor of 30 years ago. Still, there are some similaritries. One is the pine nuts noted, it still characterises the brand. Today I get whispers of honey, wheat, pine nuts and butterscotch in the brand, it's a good dram.

It's a rare event to be able able to taste older Maker's Mark, I've only had one chance, courtesy Professor Veach, and it was superb, much like Emerald described.